Oct 2, 1841 - "Elder Warren Foote writes in his journal: "The semi-annual conference commenced today. After meeting was dismissed a deposit was made in the southeast corner of the Nauvoo house. A square hole had been chisseled in the large corner stone like a box. An invitation was given for any who wished to put in any little memento they desired to. I was standing very near the corner stone, when Joseph Smith came up with the manuscript of the Book of Mormon, and said he wanted to put that in there, as he had had trouble enough with it. It appeared to be written on fools' cap paper, and was about three inches in thickness. There was also deposited a Book of D&C, five cents, ten cents, twenty-five cents, fifty cents, and one dollar pieces of American coin, besides other articles. A close-fitting stone cover was laid in cement, and the wall built over it. I was standing within three feet of the Prophet when he handed in the manuscript, and saw it very plainly. He intimated in his remarks, that in after generations the walls might be thrown down, and these things discovered, from which the people could learn the doctrines and principles and faith of the Latter-day Saints."

Oct 2, 1872 - Brigham Young is arrested on an unlawful cohabitation charge. This was the first major arrest in a campaign to bring plural marriage to an end by arresting Mormon leaders. The case against Young is subsequently dropped.

Oct 2, 1883 - Bishop Orson R. Whitney begins participating in regular spiritualistic seances about this date. In 1889 Twele learns of this activity, reverses its decision to call Witney as new apostle, yet allows Whitney to remain bishop. Among those who attend these seances are Arthur and Charles Stayner and Maud May Babcock. Bishop Whitney continues to participate until 1900.

Oct 2, 1911 - First anti-Mormon film, VICTIM OF THE MORMONS ("Mormonens Offer"), opens in Copenhagen, Denmark. Film goes into international distribution, is publicly condemned by Apostle David O. McKay at next general conference. It is target of first censorship effort led by Utah governor (William Spry, LDS).

Oct 2, 1922 - George Sutherland is first U.S. Supreme Court justice of Mormon origins. Raised in LDS church and graduate of Brigham Young Academy in 1881, Sutherland defines himself as non-Mormon long before his election as U.S. Senator in 1905.

Oct 2, 1942 - While attending general conference Eldred G. Smith is handed a note from President Heber J. Grant asking him to go immediately to the president's office. President Grant advised Eldred that he was calling Joseph F. Smith II to the office of Patriarch the next day instead of Eldred who, as eldest son of the previous Church Patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith, was the traditional candidate for this hereditary office. Joseph F. Smith II is ordained patriarch but is removed after only four years in office when it is found that he has been involved in homosexual relationships. Eldred G. Smith is ordained Patriarch of the church on April 10, 1947.

Oct 2, 1945 - First Presidency decides to pay expenses of LDS conscientious objectors detained in camps by U.S. government during World War II.

Oct 2, 1950 - First Presidency letter: "Where military regulations require the wearing of two-piece underwear, such underwear should be properly marked as if the articles were of the normal [temple garment] pattern." Drafted originally for Korean War, this instruction is reissued during Vietnam War on Aug. 31, 1964 and Mar. 17, 1969.

Oct 2, 1952 - Second Counselor J. Reuben Clark warns women of Relief Society general conference against "self-pollution," prostitution, and "homosexuality, which it is tragic to say, is found among both sexes." He cautions LDS women against allowing homosexually oriented males to use them as male-substitutes in dating or marriage: "I wonder if you girls have ever reflected on the thought that was in the mind of the man who first began to praise you for your boyish figures." Clark also tells the ladies, "I forebear to more than mention that abomination and filth and loathsomeness of the ancients - carnal knowledge with beasts." Church Relief Society magazine publishes this talk in full.

Oct 2, 1975 - Conclusion of last Relief Society conference. Primary and Young Women's organizations held their last conferences the previous Apr. and June. Beginning Sept. 1978, there are annual meetings for women, but these lack the several days of training workshops previously directed by women.

Oct 2, 1976 - At general conference President Spencer W. Kimball says: "We warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance, is the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine." Brigham Young never called his Adam-God teaching "theory" but referred to it as "doctrine which God revealed to me…" The discrepancy between past prophets and current prophets is used by Mormon fundamentalists to gain converts from among LDS membership. This is alluded to by Apostle Bruce R. McConkie who three years later says of Brigham Young's Adam-God doctrine: "The devil keeps this heresy alive as a means of obtaining converts to cultism."

Oct 2, 1985 - Letter from LDS Church Education System's Zone Administrators of Curriculum and Instruction Division to area directors, associate area directors, teaching support consultants, CES coordinators, institute directors, seminary principals: "Even if the letters [circulated by Mark Hoffman] were to be unauthentic [as they are], such issues as Joseph Smith's involvement in treasure-seeking and folk magic remain. Ample evidence exists for both of these, even without the letters. The publicity surrounding the letters served only to heighten the general public's awareness of these two issues."

Oct 2, 1988 - Michaelene P Grassli, general Primary President, is first woman to speak in general conference in 133 years.

Oct 2-3, 1871 - Brigham Young and his counselor Daniel H. Wells are arrested for polygamous cohabitation and subsequently for murder, but charges are dismissed.